To determine if MyotonPRO can reliably measure changes in muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the erector spinae muscles in different postures as well as pre- and post MR interventions.
Thirty participants (16 females, mean age 21.06 ± 2.02 years; 14 males, mean age 21.21 ± 1.85 years) were randomly assigned to either a therapist-administered MR (TMR) group (n=15) or a self-administered MR (SMR) group (n=15). The erector spinae muscles were assessed using MyotonPRO in six different testing postures, both pre and post MR interventions. Changes in muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity were analyzed.
MyotonPRO effectively detected differences in muscle properties across the different postures, demonstrating its sensitivity to postural discrepancies. Significant improvements in muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity were observed in the erector spinae muscles following TMR compared to SMR (p 0.05). These findings suggest that MyotonPRO can objectively quantify the impact of MR on muscle properties.
The study provides compelling evidence for the reliability and validity of MyotonPRO in assessing erector spinae muscle properties. The superior and preferable outcomes following TMR compared to SMR highlights the importance of professional intervention in optimizing MR techniques. These findings contribute to a growing body of literature supporting the use of MyotonPRO as a valuable tool for clinical assessment and research. Future studies should explore the long-term effects of MR and the potential benefits of combining MR with other therapeutic modalities.
This study contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the use of MyotonPRO as a reliable and valid tool for assessing muscle properties and evaluating the effectiveness of MR interventions.
Myofascial release
Muscle properties
